One of the most popular attractions in Newcastle with locals and tourists alike, Blackbutt Reserve is a 182 hectare nature reserve which features native animal enclosures, walking trails, children’s playgrounds and tranquil picnic areas.
It’s free to enter Blackbutt Reserve. You just need to pay for parking. It’s a popular day out for local families who go to visit the animals, visit playgrounds, attend local events as well as attending birthday parties held there.
The park comprises of five main picnic areas but the most popular with families is the Black Duck Picnic Area (entrance via Carnley Avenue) and Richley Reserve (entrance via Freyberg Avenue).
Carnley Avenue
If your family loves animals, head to this part of Blackbutt Reserve. Carnley Avenue area features native wildlife exhibits including koalas, emus, wallabies and wombats.
A series of boardwalks make it easy to push a stroller and let young ones safely view the creatures up close in the enclosures. Older kids will love running up and down the boardwalks from one enclosure to another. These enclosures include birds, lizards, snakes, wombats and koalas.
You’ll find the koalas in a central covered aviary. You might be lucky and discover that they’re active or they might be curled up asleep.
There’s four koalas at Blackbutt Reserve and the best time to see them is around 1.30-2.30pm (their scheduled feeding time is at 2pm).
When you leave the covered enclosures, head nearby to an enclosed paddock and you’ll spot kangaroos and emus.
If you want to see the animals at their most active, don’t miss feeding times. You can watch different animals being fed at the following times:
- 10.30am – Wombat feast
- 10.45am – Bird brunch
- 1.30pm – Nocturnal nourish
- 2pm – Koala dining
If feeding times get your family hungry, there’s now a cafe at Blackbutt Reserve at Carnley Avenue as well as a multipurpose community facility which opened in June.
The building includes an environmental education, meeting and function space, as well as a café.
Stop in for a coffee or a feed at the Blackbutt Cafe by Durks. There’s undercover dining and seating area, and the menu includes coffee, breakfast and lunch options. There’s also kids meals.
Once fed, let the kids play at the nearby playground at Carnley Reserve in the Black Duck Area.The Bower Bird playground is designed for children ages 2 to 10. It features a large climbing structure, roundabout, see saw, a group swing, 2 slides and musical instruments.
There’s plenty of other fun activities at Blackbutt Reserve. You can go for a hike, have a picnic or barbecue, and watch the ducks and peacocks.
There’s lots of grass for families to kick a ball around, play frisbee or just run around.
If you feel like a walk, there are a few walks that start at Carnley Reserve. The walks are well signposted with the name of the track and the distance indicated at each major intersection.
From Carnley Reserve, you can do the Main Ridge Walk (2.4Km) or Rainforest Walk (1.5kms) or walk to Richley Reserve (800 metres)
Richley Reserve
If your kids still have energy, you can either walk or drive over to the other part of Blackbutt Reserve at Richley Reserve.
The second and most newest playground is the adventure playground in Richley Reserve at Blackbutt. It’s a great playground that encourages nature play, adventure and risk-taking.
Set in the leafy surrounds of Richley Reserve, this colourful 60 metre playground is filled with play equipment that will entertain and challenge kids of all ages.
Its star attraction is a climbing tower with bridges, slide and fireman pole, and rope courses. The playground also encourages nature play. As well as being surrounded by trees and grass, the playground includes a sand pit complete with water tap (bring extra clothes!) as well as a stone garden. For those who are interested, the adventure playground features a variety of floor coverings including bark, softfall and grass.
There are plenty of shelters here (if they’re not booked) that you can hang out at with clear line of sight to the playground.
If you feel like a walk, there’s a few to choose from. There’s 9 different walking trails through Blackbutt Reserve for you and your family to enjoy.
From Richley Reserve, you can do the Tall Trees Walk (2.6Km) or Forest Walk (1.6kms) or walk to Carnley Reserve (800 metres)
There’s also Blackbutt ParkRun, a free 5K untimed run through Blackbutt Reserve on Saturday mornings. Just be warned, it is a bit hilly.
FAQS about Blackbutt Reserve
How much does it cost to visit Blackbutt Reserve?
It’s free to visit Blackbutt Reserve but you will need to pay for parking. Currently parking is $5 per hour or $14 a day. You can either use the ticket machine located on site or use the EasyPark app. We recommend the EasyPark app as you can add additional time as required.
What are the opening hours for Blackbutt Reserve?
Picnic facilities are open from 7am to 7pm. The wildlife exhibits are open from 10am to 4:30pm daily (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and before 1pm ANZAC Day)
I have a baby. Are there feeding or changing facilities?
Yes, there’s an amenities block at Carnley Avenue that was built in 2015. It features a Parents Room with a family toilet, a private room for breastfeeding mums, baby change tables and a microwave and sink for food or milk preparation. At Richley Reserve, there are changing facilities in the amenities block.
Can I have a barbecue at Blackbutt Reserve?
Yes, bring your food and have a barbecue at Blackbutt Reserve. There’s electric barbecues dotted around the reserve. They’re free and easy to use. They are simple push button operation, and give you approximately 20 minutes cooking time. The barbecues are available for all visitors and cannot be booked. Just make sure you clean up after yourself.
Can I have a birthday party at Blackbutt Reserve?
Many local families have their parties at Blackbutt Reserve. Some choose to hold it in a picnic shelter while others organise to bring chairs and picnic blankets.
If you want to guarantee a picnic shelter, you’ll have to book it ahead of time with Newcastle City Council. There’s 16 shelters you can choose from, 6 at Carnley Avenue and 10 at Richley Reserve. They’re undercover and include picnic tables. It’s currentlly $200 to rent a shelter, which includes a non-refundable administration fee of $150.
Are there mosquitoes at Blackbutt Reserve?
It really depends. Some years, the mosquitoes are an issue. Other years, not so much. Pack mosquito repellent just in case.
Can you hold a koala or get your photo taken with a koala?
No. It is against regulations in New South Wales for the general public to hold koalas. However, you can see the koalas up close in the Koala enclosure.
Are you allowed to bring bikes or scooters into Blackbutt Reserve?
No. Scooters and push bikes are not permitted within Blackbutt Reserve. This includes around the picnic areas and along the designated tracks.
Can you take dogs to Blackbutt Reserve?
No, dogs are not permitted at Blackbutt Reserve.
How do I get to Blackbutt Reserve?
Blackbutt Reserve is located in New Lambton in the suburbs of Newcastle. It’s 8.5kms from Newcastle CBD. The best way to get to Blackbutt is by car. If you don’t have your own, go by taxi or Uber especially if you’re only in Newcastle for a short term e.g. cruise ship passengers.
Just be specific to the driver about where you want to go so that you don’t get dropped off at the wrong entrance. Carnley Avenue for Blackbutt native animal enclosures or Richley Reserve for kids adventure playground.
You can also go via public transit but it’s honestly, it’s not easy to get to Blackbutt Reserve. If you travel via bus, the closest route to Blackbutt Reserve is route 25 which drops you off at Orchardtown Road near Blamey Avenue. From there, it’s a 10 minute walk to Richley Reserve or a 15 – 20 minute walk to Carnley Avenue entrance. The train is even more inconvenient. The closest train station is Kotara train station which is a 2.8km walk to the Carnley Avenue entrance.
Blackbutt Reserve is run by Newcastle City Council. For more information, visit the Blackbutt Reserve website.
Other articles you might find useful:
Top 15 Things to Do in Newcastle With Kids
Critters Up Close! Where You Can See Animals Up Close in the Newcastle & Hunter Region
Outdoor Activities Without the Crowds in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter